Why Darrell Clarke could run Leeds United - and not be another Hockaday: Lorimer

RUNNING Leeds United would be a huge step up for top prospect Darrell Clarke, yet he could be the right man for the job, Leeds legend Peter Lorimer says.

Lorimer, writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, describes the Bristol Rovers coach as “ambitious, hungry and already successful in the jobs he’s held so far”.

Her says: “Coming to Leeds United would be a huge step up, make no mistake about that, and no-one should be arrogant about taking this club on, but when it comes to his record it’s pretty hard to argue with.”

Lorimer says that while many argue Leeds need a big name coach, “there is definite potential in the lower leagues and Clarke seems to be one of the better prospects at that level”.

He adds: “This is not the equivalent of David Hockaday or somebody like that. No offence to David but when he came here he had a track record of holding coaching jobs as opposed to a track record of guiding clubs to success. Clarke in two years has taken Bristol Rovers out of the Conference (or what used to be called the Conference) and out of League Two.

“By all means take issue with his inexperience but those are not insignificant achievements. Bear in mind that this came on the back of other promotions with Salisbury City in non-league.”

Lorimer says he is “not as resistant to this type of appointment as other people might be”.

He says: “Okay, Clarke’s only 38 and Leeds United is a very different world to Bristol Rovers, but you can draw a number of conclusions from what he’s done in his career so far.

“To start with, he obviously knows how to manage players properly. He must also have an eye for a good signing in the transfer market. And it’s fairly obvious that he’s someone who holds a good amount of confidence in his own ability.

“That’s absolutely vital for anyone coming to Leeds. They have to be able to cope with the club and owner, both of whom are extremely demanding. But I find the option of a young, hungry coach more appealing than an obvious move for an older manager who’s been round the mill many times, held countless jobs already and no longer brings the freshness or the energy you often get with emerging managers.”